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Ask the Family Pet Expert

QUESTION

Dear Family Pet Expert,
My husband and I have a 7-month-year old Lab. We've had her since she was just 7 weeks old and I already knew that I was pregnant (about 2 months). We decided that it'd be easier to get a puppy before the baby came and have her trained, that way she'd be ready for when the baby arrived. She's a good dog, well trained and behaved; she does get excited at times, especially with new people around, but other than that she's a very good dog and we love her dearly.

QUESTION

Dear Family Pet Expert,
Hello. I have 2 Dachshunds and one lab mix. I am due in June and often my husband and I wonder how my Dachshunds specifically will react to the baby because they are very protective and when kids come around they act funny. For instance, my one dachshund likes to "hump" little kids when they come around. I am not sure what that really means, but then my female dachshund does not want anything to do with kids.

What do you recommend for introducing new babies to dachshunds? Your advice is very much appreciated.

QUESTION

Dear Pet Expert,
I am 6 months pregnant and before I even knew, my dog (shih-tzu) started acting up. She is always panting and running back and forth and does not relax. She just want to be outside all the time.

QUESTION

Dear Pet Expert,
My husband and I have 2 adorable labs that are both 1 1/2 years old. We've had them since they were puppies and absolutely love them to death. We our expecting our first child soon and we want to do whatever we can to prepare them for the baby.

Our dogs are both very well behaved around small children, however we're worried they won't know what to think since they have gotten all the attention thus far. Any advice would be much appreciated.

QUESTION

Dear Pet Expert,
I have a 1/2;-year-old Pomeranian female. She's 5 pounds. I have had her since she was 6 weeks.

The breeder used paper training. Since the breeder trained her that way I figured the easiest thing to do was to do the same. I papered the whole floor in the kitchen and follow the instructions to the letter. Each time she strayed I papered the whole floor again until I got her down to using just the one sheet. She then was allowed to roam the house.

One of the most basic ways parents can help prepare their family dog is to expose them to the baby equipment prior to its use with an actual baby. I advise that Grandparents, guardians and childcare providers that have dogs also take these simple steps to evaluate their own dog and circumstances.

It is Saturday night and you have a date with your spouse. You give hugs, kiss the kids goodnight and give a pat to your pup as you head out. In your car you mentally go over the details to be sure you told the sitter everything. But have you? What about your dog?